It was imperative that he win his next match in order to keep his sponsors and avoid financial ruin. He hadn’t even asked Carl why he’d sent his trainer away; he didn’t want to hear the reason and have the brutal truth acknowledged. Could Jasper even afford his gym membership these days? The thought made him twitchy. He wished he hadn’t been so harsh with Kait. He’d have to make it up with her, but he couldn’t go sending flowers or taking her out to posh dinners.
“Urgh,” Jasper scraped his hands across his head in frustration and kicked a nearby bin. But as his foot connected with it, he spun awkwardly, and his bad knee clicked loudly. The sound froze Jasper. It was dislocated. Jasper was certain of it even before the pain seared up his leg and brought him to the ground.
The receptionist at the gym saw him go down and instantly ran out to check on him.
“Hey, man, are you okay?”
Jasper was too busy groaning in agony to respond.
“I’m going to call an ambulance, just stay there!” The receptionist darted back inside the glass fronted building. Jasper gripped his knee and grimaced. He didn’t need this, not now. He needed to stay strong; he needed to stay in shape.
Chapter 79
“Well, it’s dislocated,” Carl stood at Jasper’s beside, his arms folded across his chest.
“I figured as much,” Jasper sighed as he leaned back against the pillows gathered behind him.
“What were you thinking putting pressure on it like that?” Carl demanded tersely.
“I wasn’t thinking.”
“Clearly.”
Jasper turned away from his agent, tired of seeing the judgment harshly written upon his face. He’d messed up; he knew that. He didn’t need Carl to remind him.
“The doctor said they’d managed to realign it, but you’re going to need surgery.” Carl said grimly.
“When?” Jasper snapped, still not looking at him.
“You’re booked in for a month from now,” Carl explained. “That buys us enough time for two more fights.”
“And then win or lose, I’ll be out of the game indefinitely,” Jasper sighed.
“Exactly.”
“Dammit,” Jasper closed his eyes and wished things were different. He wished he were stronger, that he wasn’t on a losing streak. He should have stopped when he was on top, and now he couldn’t because if he did he risked ruining the legacy he’d worked so hard to build.
“You’ll be out of here in a few hours,” Carl told him. “Want me to call anyone for you?”
“No,” Jasper replied a little too sharply. “But you don’t going to get me a cup of coffee?”
“Sure,” Carl started walking towards the door but then paused. “It’s on me,” he added with a mean smile. Beneath the sheets, Jasper clenched his hands into fists.
“Thanks,” he managed to respond genially as Carl walked out, still wearing his wicked smile.
With Carl gone, Jasper was able to fumble for his phone which was in the drawer of his bedside table. When he retrieved it, he saw that he had no missed calls or messages from Kait. She must be really pissed at him. Taking a deep breath, Jasper called her.
“Hey,” her tone was icy when she’d answered, but at least she’d picked up.
“Hey, babe. Look, about earlier - ”
“It’s okay,” Kait cut him off. “I overstepped the line, I get it. Our relationship is still relatively new, and I’m acting like I own your place or something. I’m sorry.”
Jasper lowered his head towards his chest. He knew he could easily let Kait think she’d scared him by being too full on, but he didn’t want to do that to her. She deserved better.
“I’m just so tense with training,” he explained, which was true. “I didn’t mean to blow up at you like I did.”
“It’s okay.” Kait sounded more like herself on the other end of the line. “I know things are tough for you at the moment. I was just trying to help in some small way. Want me to come over?”
“No,” Jasper coughed.
“Oh.”
“I mean, I’m still at the gym.”
“You are?”
“Yep.” Jasper wriggled in his hospital bed to sit up straighter. A door opened, and a uniformed nurse walked in holding a clipboard to her chest which meant it was time to check his vitals.
“Look, babe, I’ve got to go. My trainer is forcing me to do another ten reps before we take a break, okay?”
“Okay…” Kait sounded confused. Why was he calling her unless he was already on a break?